KUALA LUMPUR: A preliminary report on the Sept 8 Long Lellang helicopter crash, which killed a pilot and four medical personnel, will be presented to the cabinet tomorrow.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke (PH-Seremban) said the final report on the Ulu Baram incident would be completed within a year.
"Preliminary findings by the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) confirmed that the pilot held a valid flying licence and medical certificate, and was fully qualified to operate the flight," he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
He added that the helicopter had valid Certificates of Registration and Airworthiness, and was certified fit to fly before departure.
Loke was responding to Datuk Seri Dr Richard Rapu (GPS-Betong), who asked about the dates of the latest safety and surveillance audits, as well as inspections conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).
He said CAAM conducted verification inspections on the affected BO-105 aircraft on Sept 9 and 10, followed by inspections of other aircraft fitted with Rolls-Royce RR250 engines from Sept 10 to 12.
"The verifications confirmed that compliance with scheduled maintenance requirements and Airworthiness Directives was satisfactory.
"CAAM allowed the aircraft to resume operations only after verifying that all required inspections and corrective actions had been completed, confirming their airworthiness."
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